An above average year is still expected

Updated Friday afternoon...... So far there have been 4 named storms in the Atlantic basin this year. These have all been tropical storms with no hurricanes yet.The main part of hurricane season is from August 15 to October 15. September is the most active month.

Last year there were 19 named storms.10 of these were hurricanes.... 75 mph or stronger.2 of these were major hurricanes.... 115 mph or stronger. Category 3 or higher.

Here are the latest updated forecast for this year......
The official government forecast is from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA and was updated yesterday.

13 to 19 named storms (top winds of 39 mph or higher), including

6 to 9 hurricanes (top winds of 75 mph or higher), of which

3 to 5 could be major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of at least 115 mph)

These ranges are above the 30-year seasonal averages of 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.______________________________________________________________________

The Tropical Meteorology Project is based out of Colorado State University. Kind of far from the oceans it would seem to study hurricanes, but Dr. William Gray, one of the all-time leading hurricane experts heads the project at Fort Collins. Here is their latest forecast......

Named storms: 18Hurricanes: 8Major hurricanes: 3

Probability of a major hurricane...(Category 3, 4 or 5) hitting the U.S. coastline...._______________________________________________________________________

The leading private forecasting company for hurricanes is WeatherBELL Analytics.

Here is their latest forecast.....

Named storms: 16Hurricanes: 12 Major hurricanes: 5The highest U.S threat is over the eastern Gulf of Mexico, Florida and the east coast.______________________________________________________________________To go to the home page of the National Hurricane Center.....click HERE______________________________________________________________________